Do we take the time to really see and hear the things that are good that God created for us? Helen Keller's gratitude for the goodness of God's creations in spite of her disabilities will open up your families eyes and ears to the wonders of this glorious world Heavenly Father created for us.
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SCRIPTURE
Genesis 1:31
31. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. ...
VIDEO CLIP
Watch: Chapter 10 from The Complete Learning System, Helen Keller DVD or CLICK FOR CLIP
LESSON SUMMARY
Helen Keller could not see or hear the glorious things that Heavenly Father has created, but she was blessed with parents who loved her and a special teacher who would not give up on her.
“Once I knew only darkness and stillness... My life was without past or future... But a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living.” Helen Keller
Do you think Helen Keller appreciated Heavenly Father’s creations even though she could not see or hear them? (Discuss ideas.)
“Recently I was visited by a very good friend who had just returned from a long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed. ‘Nothing in particular,’ she replied. How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. ... At times my heart cries out with longing to see all these things. If I can get so much pleasure from mere touch, how much more beauty must be revealed by sight.” Helen Keller, as published in Atlantic Monthly, January, 1933.
How did Helen Keller learn to appreciate God’s creations? (Discuss ideas.)
Helen once said, “If we believe that the earth is ours, and that the sun and moon hang in the sky for our delight, there will be joy upon the hills and gladness in the fields because the Artist in our souls glorifies creation. Surely, it gives dignity to life to believe that we are born into this world for noble ends, and that we have a higher destiny than can be accomplished within the narrow limits of this physical life. ... Through my sense of touch I am keenly alive to all changes and movements of the atmosphere.” Helen Keller, published in Personality, December, 1927
Why is it important for us to appreciate Heavenly Father’s creations? (Discuss ideas.)
“Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.” (D&C 59:18–19)
How does it make you feel to know that God created everything for our benefit? (Discuss ideas.)
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller
“Blind or seeing, one is not happy unless one’s heart is filled with the sun which never dissolves into gloom. God is that sun, and if one’s faith in Him is only strong, He will somehow or other reveal one’s powers and brighten the darkest days with His divine beams.” Helen Keller
STORY
"Angie's Experiment"
Angie sat the book about Helen Keller, she had just finished reading, in her lap. Closing her eyes tightly, she inhaled deeply...“Lilacs. I smell lilacs... and um ... oh, what is that other smell?” Angie wondered, while absently rubbing her hand on the armrest of the chair. While she tried hard to concentrate on the smell her fingers began to explore the texture of the chair. “Oh, I know!” she said, turning and pressing her face against the back of the chair and inhaling deeply, “It’s leather.”
Angie got up from the chair with her eyes still closed and began carefully feeling her way across the room. “Oops,” she said, bumping into something. Angie bent down and felt the object with her hands. It was cold, smooth and hard. “Danny’s toy dump truck,” she concluded, before continuing her journey across the room with her eyes closed. “This is hard,” she said, tripping over what she suspected was
another one of Danny’s toys.
“Hey, watch it,” Jeremy shouted when Angie ran into him in the hallway. “What on earth are you doing?”
Angie held out her hand and touched Jeremy’s arm. “I’m sharpening my senses of touch and smell,” she said gleefully. “Can I see what your face looks like with my hands?” she asked lifting her hand towards Jeremy’s face.
“You’re weird!”
“I am not,” Angie protested, opening her eyes. “I just appreciate all the senses Heavenly Father gave me.”
“Well go appreciate your sense of smell outside,” Jeremy said. “It’s your turn to clean up after the dog. I wouldn’t try doing it with your eyes closed though if you like those shoes.”
“For your information, I’m going to practice my sense of sight. If you haven’t noticed lately the lilac bush has bloomed and the grass is lush and green and the mountains are grand!”
After finishing her chore, Angie went into the mud room to wash her hands. Closing her eyes again, she let the warm water wash over her hands. “W-A-T-E-R,” she spelled with her right hand, into her left hand using the finger spelling she had been practicing. Laughing with joy, Angie, exclaimed, “Wow, Helen Keller’s life began when she learned about water–one of the first things God created after he made
the earth!”
Turning off the water and drying her hands, Angie knew that her life would forever be fuller and filled with a greater appreciation for Heavenly Father’s creations because of Helen Keller’s amazing story.
Younger children will need help from an older sibling or parent.
1. Explain: Everything on earth that is good comes from God. (Moroni 7:12)
Because Helen Keller was deaf and blind she had to experience Heavenly Father’s glorious creations through touch (or feeling) and smell. (Have children close their eyes and try to guess what the objects are through touch, smell and taste.)
2. Ask: Imagine that you couldn’t see the words in the scriptures and other books or songs. Imagine that you can’t even hear them spoken. How could you read or write? (Braille.)
3. Explain: Braille (show Braille chart), an alphabet of raised dots was inspired by Heavenly Father so the blind could read. The scriptures, church magazines and church song books are available in braille.
4. Show the pages of the song, “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” with words, pictures and Braille. Ask: What are the different ways we can learn this primary song? (Through pictures, printed word and braille.) Have children close their eyes and touch the Braille.
6. Ask: Helen Keller was blessed with three wonderful senses. What senses have we been blessed with to experience Heavenly Father’s creations? (Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.)
Point to each picture of the song and ask what are the different senses that Heavenly Father has given us that we can use to enjoy this creation. Example: Whenever I feel the rain on my face: Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.
8. Explain: We should all be grateful for what Heavenly Father has given us. Helen Keller loved life in spite of her disabilities and she knew Heavenly Father loved her.“I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.” Helen Keller
9. Bear your testimony and express your gratitude for this beautiful world and all with which Heavenly Father has blessed you.
What you need:
A copy of the “Heavenly Father Loves Me” activity (artwork included with this lesson), small nail or pin, various objects such as; a book, a flower, water, a piece of fruit, a toy, etc.
1. Sing: Children’s Songbook #230 “I Think the World Is Glorious.”
2. Read: Genesis 1:31
“31. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. ...”
3. Watch: Chapter 10 from the animated Complete Learning System, Helen Keller DVD. (Video clip is also provided for viewing online.)
4. Helen Keller could not see or hear the glorious things that Heavenly Father has created, but she was blessed with parents who loved her and a special teacher who would not give up on her.
“Once I knew only darkness and stillness... My life was without past or future... But a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to
the rapture of living.” Helen Keller
5. Do you think Helen Keller appreciated Heavenly Father’s creations even though she could not see or hear them? (Discuss ideas.)
“Recently I was visited by a very good friend who had just returned from a long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed. ‘Nothing in particular,’ she replied. How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. ... At times my heart cries out with longing to see all these things. If I can get so much pleasure from mere touch, how much more
beauty must be revealed by sight.” Helen Keller, as published in Atlantic Monthly, January, 1933.
6.How can we show appreciation for God’s creations? (Discuss ideas.)
“Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.” (D&C 59:18–19)
8.What is the greatest of all God’s creations? (Discuss ideas.)
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller
“Blind or seeing, one is not happy unless one’s heart is filled with the sun which never dissolves into gloom. God is that sun, and if one’s faith in Him is only strong, He will somehow or other reveal one’s powers and brighten the darkest days with His divine beams.” Helen Keller
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